It’s grilling season and we couldn’t be happier. This time of year, we spend lots of time outside cooking most everything on the grill. We love that the clean-up is easier (fewer pots & pans is a good thing!) and the dishes seem simpler. Plus, the kitchen stays cooler without turning on the oven. That brings us to our recipe for Grilled Greek Yogurt Marinated Pork Chops. Are you looking for a recipe that will give you a  tender, melt-in-your-mouth tasting pork chop?  This recipe delivers just that, plus all the classic flavors of the Mediterranean, such as lemon, garlic, olive oil and traditional Greek spices. This is a simple recipe with just a few ingredients. We made these for a cookout last summer, and everyone raved about them. SO simple and easy to make, this has become one of our favorite ways to enjoy grilled pork chops. We hope that it will become one of your new favorite summer dishes too!

Recipe Tips

The Marinade

The trick to these tender pork chops is the Greek yogurt base in the marinade. The Greek yogurt’s slightly acidic nature gently tenderizes the meat leaving it nice and juicy. You can marinate the chops in the morning, and then just put them on the grill when it’s time for dinner. We suggest a marinating time of at least 2 hours. But they can sit in the marinade longer with no problems, just be sure to cook them the same day. Once the chops are grilled you’ll get a soft layer of goodness from the caramelized yogurt. Sounds pretty delicious, right?!

Chop Suggestions and Cooking Hints

We have chosen to use bone-in loin chops as they tend to have a fuller, richer flavor. So skip the boneless pork chops for this recipe. The boneless loin chop is the same as the bone-in chops but with the bone. The chop is juicier and has much more flavor. The trick to cooking pork chops is not to overcook them. The exact cook time will vary depending on the thickness of your chops. So we recommend using a meat thermometer to determine when they are done. Pork chops are done when they have reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Be aware that overcooking can dry out the meat, so trust the thermometer. After removing the chops from the heat, let them rest under foil for 5 minutes. The meat will actually continue to cook while resting. That’s why it is important not to overcook them on the grill!  

What Spices to Use

The Greek Spice Blend we use (recipe found here) is a blend of dried herbs and spices that will give your meal a savory, warm, aromatic, earthy and sweet flavor. It adds a great depth of flavor to the marinade. It’s made with simple pantry ingredients, many of which you likely already have on-hand. It’s a simple DIY blend that is ready in minutes. Plus it’s convenient to have available to spice-up many of your dishes

This is a very simple recipe with just a few ingredients. We suggest serving the Grilled Greek Yogurt Marinated Pork Chops with a Horiatiki Salad or with our recipe for Grilled Brussels Sprouts.  Both recipes take minimal prep time and don’t heat up the kitchen on those warm summer days! This dish is great for those busy weeknight meals, or enjoyed on a leisurely summer weekend dining alfresco!